That same friend says I'm gay because I play nintendo games, because they're childish, easy *Cough* Fire Emblem *Cough*, and their graphics suck... He plays minecraft, everyday.

That is a nice way to explain in a simple fashion. Even if the people you explain that way will think only of PES and Fifa (and are the people that when they visit you just want to play these kind of games).

I invest hours of my daily life playing videogames and it's an activity i choosed by myself to experience.It's a medium i grew up with and I have seen how the wider society treats and names gamers.I also believe that there are many obvious tutoring stories in them.The biggest joy of experiencing something is to be able to share it with others.

I have been gaming for about 21 or 22 years of my life. My short but honest opinion. I don't care at all if someone doesn't like or respect gaming. Fine don't do it. Fine with me. Hobbies are not to gain respect from others or to try and get everyone to do them, or agree they are great.  They are simply for fun.  I guarantee you everyone that hates gaming has a hobby either A.) you would hate, or B.) people wouldn't respect. Video game addiction is waaaaay different though. People who game all the time every day, instead of finding a good career and having good real life face to face relationships I do not respect at all and think they need to re-evaluate priorities (especially if an adult). It's really all about priorities.  It's pretty hard for someone to hate on your gaming hobby when you drive a decent car, have a decent house, have a pretty lady, have a career etc...But when you are an adult and do nothing but game, obviously people are going to notice that.  GTA5 sold 1 billion USD in 3 days of release. People who like gaming are not alone.

Video games have a bad reputation, it's either 'For kids.' or too violent. It's not the industry that has the problem though, if you say you are a game developer, people won't turn their face at you. It is the reaction of people, both gamers and non-gamers, that shape the image of gamers as a whole.

Gamers - Take recent calls to get someone fired over a review or the Mass Effect 3 ending debacle. It was fans reactions that caused the issue, in previous years we were unable to voice out concerns as much and now in the modern age we expect more and more, better and better, else it's just not good enough. We are spoilt.

Non-gamers - they see it as a waste of time or for kids. There is a weird social stigma when it comes to games and gamers. If you say you are a film buff and goto the cinema lots, people take interest, you are of higher society nearly. Those who watch TV, no one bats an eye. Yet say you are a gamer, suddenly you are seen as lower class. I play games, I don't watch TV. It is the entertainment industry I grew up with and I will game for all my life no doubt.

This said, I don't like to admit I play games outright to new people because of the reputation of gamers and the social aspect that saying 'I play games' to others may bring, it's the same as saying 'I read comics'. I don't like to advertise to the normal masses that I read comics even if I do because I know the social presumptions that people have of comic book readers. If someone asks if I read and I say 'Yes, comics.' they see that as not reading and it's for kids yet Comics have been around for decades.

When ever I tell people that I game extensively and it's a lifestyle hobby of mine they're always confused and seemingly look down upon me. That is until I offer an explanation; I would tell people that being immersed in a good game is very similar to being immersed in a book. Of course people still don't entirely understand, but what ever they're missing out. AMIRIGHT!?

I don't go around telling people I like to play videogames but the people who know it look down on me and tell me it's a stupid hobby to have. Then again I never talked to those people again.